Sponsored by the Iowa DNR, the Iowa Master Angler Award recognizes memorable-sized catches for more than 40 fish species. Those anglers who apply and qualify receive an official certificate and car/boat decal. The rules and qualifying fish species and lengths can be found on the Master Angler Rules page.

Saylorville Reservoir, Polk County – troll large crankbaits under schools of gizzard shad or fish below the Saylorville spillway.

Three Mile Lake, Union County – use a small crankbait or medium sized spinner near rocky or gravel areas at twilight. Any shoreline could hold fish, but the dam and east shore near the dam are the most popular.

Lake Manawa, Pottawattamie County – fish the east shore around boat docks near inflow tube using twister tails and crankbaits.

Brook Trout (15 inches to qualify)

Trout River and Trout Run, Winneshiek County – use a variety of live bait and artificial lures.

Rainbow Trout (18 inches to qualify)

All catchable stocked trout streams receive an equal number of brood stock rainbow trout. A variety of live bait and artificial lures will work.

Brown Trout (18 inches to qualify)

Spring Branch Creek, Ensign Hollow and the Upper Maquoketa River – fish the bank hides or large downed trees.

The Catch and Release areas on French Creek and the downstream portion of Waterloo Creek are restricted to artificial lures only and fish must be released. A photo and witnessed length are necessary for an award. Midsummer has abundant hatches of aquatic and terrestrial insects and water levels tend to be stable.

Flathead Catfish (35 inches to qualify)

Coralville Reservoir, Johnson County – fish with live bullheads, green sunfish or chubs on the flats.

Mississippi River Pool 16 and 18 – fish in the area where rivers drain into the Mississippi with a variety of live baits.

Mississippi River - target where tributaries enter the Mississippi River where pike will take refuge in the cooler water. Use medium to heavy weight gear and live bait with a steel leader or daredevil spoons.

Freshwater Drum (25 inches to qualify)

Mississippi River – fish the lock and dam tail waters and immediately below wing dams. Drum prefer quiet water and rocky areas. Use live crayfish. Drum will hit twice – the first strike kills the crayfish, the second they swallow it.

Spirit Lake, Dickinson County – drift fish a life bait rig tipped with a crayfish, minnow or nightcrawler in 20 to 22 feet of water.

Yellow Bass (10 inches to qualify)

Clear Lake, Cerro Gordo County – vertical jig or drift with a small jig tipped with a piece of night crawler or cut bait near the reefs, artificial weed beds or dredge cuts.

Arrowhead Lake, Sac County – drift the length of the lake with a small, brightly colored jig tipped with a small piece of bait.

East Okoboji Lake, Dickinson – cast 1/32 ounce hair jigs tipped with a piece of night crawler at any of the bridges.

Rock Bass (8 inches to qualify)

Turkey River, Howard and Fayette County – fish deeper water in rocky areas when the water is clear and stable with live bait or minnow imitating lures.

Cedar River, Mitchell and Floyd County – fish deeper water in rocky areas when the water is clear and stable with live bait or minnow imitating lures.